W.C. Handy Music Festival

July 15th to July 27th, 2026

We know Handy can be HOT! So you’re welcome to cool off in the lobby of the Shoals Theatre, especially during Handy’s on the Plaza! Tickets for Determined can also be purchased there. Thanks to Chelsea and the team at Shoals Theatre for being great partners of the Handy Festival!

Handy Headliner Flyer - click for more information!

2026 Handy Headliner: Shemekia Copeland

Everyone is welcome to the first ever FREE W.C. Handy Festival headliner starring Shemekia Copeland, and featuring two very talented acts: Mike Ferris and Alvin Garrett. This year the concert will be held at the Renaissance Conference Center on Sunday, July 26th.

We will have $100 VIP tickets that offer a Meet and Greet and priority seating for those of you who want to buy them. However to get your free ticket all you have to do is click the link below!

We hope that you will come out and enjoy the show!

Online Tickets

Sponsored by One Louder | Renaissance Shoals Conference Center | Music Preservation Society, Inc. | WZZA Radio

Up Next

Handy on the Plaza: Friday Presented by FirstBank and One Louder

DaDooRunRun (5K Run, 1 Mile Walk & Youth Race)

Shalom, Y’all: Country Heart Meets Cantorial Soul

Handy on the Plaza: Saturday Presented by Carriage Wine Market, Lost Pizza, Alabama Health Guidance, & One Louder

DETERMINED: CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF W.C. HANDY (a stage play written by Dolores Swoopes Nash)

EVENING AT HANDY’S CHURCH (GREATER ST. PAUL AME CHURCH)

PARTY AT THE PARK (WILLIE GREEN CENTER)

2026 Handy Headliner: Shemekia Copeland!

Back to School Bash

Concession Locations

Counts Brothers Music

713 Waverly Avenue
Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35661

256-383-7454

Operating Hours

M-F: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Sat: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sun: Closed

Coats Clothing Store

122 North Court Street
Florence, Alabama 35630

256-760-0033

Alabama Music Hall of Fame

617 U.S. 72
Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674

256-381-4417

Operating Hours

Tue-Fri: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sat: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Sun: Closed

Handy on Facebook

W.C. Handy Music Festival

6 days ago

Photos from W.C. Handy Music Festival's post ... See MoreSee Less

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W.C. Handy Music Festival

1 week ago

Get your poster personalized! The artist, Daniel Nichols, will be here at Keepers Korner in Florence until 6:30! ... See MoreSee Less

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W.C. Handy Music Festival

2 weeks ago

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7, to have your first chance to purchase a 2026 poster, signed by the artist, Daniel Nichols. He will be signing at Keepers Korner (103 Simpson St., Florence) from 5-6:30 pm. Schedules for the festival will also be available! ... See MoreSee Less

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W.C. Handy Music Festival

2 weeks ago

Check out this year's events on our website! The schedule is posted, with new things added all the time! ... See MoreSee Less

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W.C. Handy Music Festival

1 month ago

Want to help out with the area's premier music event and have fun doing? We need volunteers! Contact our email if interested!From passing out schedules at events, to selling merchandise at headquarters or events, to supporting the musicians that make it possible, there's something for any willing hands to do! If you work at least four hours, your Handy Festival t-shir#florencealabaman#volunteer##wchandyr#muscleshoalsscleshoals ... See MoreSee Less

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